Responders Easy Text Interface

This application is specific to the Responders messaging system as used by some volunteer fire brigades in New Zealand and loaded here so as to enable users of the Responders system to install easily and in a controlled fashion.

The app simplifies the interaction via text messages between users and the Responders system by providing a point and click method of changing a members on call status and sending messages to fellow brigade members en mass or individually via the "Msg All" and "Msg User (user name)" commands.

The last known availability status of the member is displayed at the bottom of the screen. This should match the Responders system so long as maintenance of the status is always performed via this application.

Operation is as follows:

When first started the app will prompt to indicate the cell number of the Responders system is missing. To set this use the Android menu and the option to configure the system cell number.

The large text field can be utilised when performing any of the change of availability functions to supply additional information associated with the member's state. This optional information is then stored and displayed on the Responders system. This field is also where the message details are entered when using any of the general messaging functions, ie "Msg All", "Msg User" or "Reply" (mandatory for all these functions)

If, after using any of the functions provided by the interface, the user keeps the app open it will intercept and display any messages returned from the Responders system. Any such intercepted messages are therefore not available in the users text message inbox. Keeping the app open to capture system responses is optional.

Please note that at this stage no functions have been provided to respond to unsolicited received messages such as Turnouts and Muster reminders. Users must reply to any such events through the normal text message interface.